Soldier died after delivering goat

A Royal Marine was killed in a massive explosion in Afghanistan after delivering a goat to a newly-wed couple, an inquest heard today.

Corporal Liam Elms, 26, from Wigan, triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) in Gereshk District, in Helmand Province, on December 31 last year.

Cpl Elms was on foot patrol with Zulu Company, 45 Commando Royal Marines, with the additional task of delivering the goat as a wedding gift to a compound near the village of Shageh, Wiltshire Coroner’s Court heard.

Maj Andrew Muddiman, company commander, told the inquest at Trowbridge Town Hall, the men embarked on “a ground domination patrol but with a specific tasking” at 11.40am.

He went on: “That was to deliver a wedding gift from the Afghan National Army to a friendly family in the compound. That gift was a goat.”

Maj Muddiman, who remained in nearby Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gibraltar, added it was “a goodwill gesture” designed to build a rapport with the family, who were influential in an area where redevelopment was planned.

Maj Muddiman said that at midday the wedding gift was “delivered and gratefully received” and “rapport was built with the newly married couple”, before the troops set off to another line of compounds.

He went on: “That’s when I heard a large explosion. It was a very loud and clearly audible explosion. By previous and subsequent standards it was a very large explosion.”

Maj Muddiman told the inquest Taliban forces launched a fierce and “complex” ambush within minutes of the explosion, opening small arms fire from elevated positions on the patrol and at FOB Gibraltar.

Cpl Elms was attended to, but there were immediately no signs of life. He was evacuated under fire from the area and transported back to Camp Bastion via FOB Gibraltar.

The inquest heard both pressure plate and command wire IEDs were prevalent in the area, which was heavily overrun by enemy forces.

Marine Jonathan Mitford, who was injured during the blast, nearly losing his right arm, was ahead of Cpl Elms on the patrol.

Mne Mitford told the inquest he was responsible for scanning the route for IEDs with a Vallon metal detector – which was fully functional.

Corporal Bradley Malone was following Cpl Elms, and told the inquest his comrade may have strayed from the cleared route.

He said: “He turned his back to the compound. He raised the rifle to observe something and may have been walking backwards slightly.”

Colour Sergeant Keith Tomkins told the inquest the explosion left a metre-deep crater and was “one of the largest” he had heard in his 20-year career with the Royal Marines.

Dr Nicholas Hunt, Home Office pathologist, who conducted a post-mortem examination, found the cause of death to be blast injuries caused by an explosion.

Cpl Elms’ father Michael Elms, who sat in the hearing throughout, thanked the men who tried to save his son.

Wiltshire coroner David Ridley recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

Following his death, his family described Cpl Elms, who was engaged to be married, as a “true man’s man”.

They added: “Liam always strived to be the best, his proudest achievement was receiving his beloved green beret.”